Report: US says ‘F-16 fighter jet sales to Turkey would serve US interests’

* Photo: The ceremony marking the first delivery of F-35s to Turkey / Texas - AA

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In a letter sent to the Congress by the US State Department on March 17, it is reportedly indicated that "the Biden administration believes a potential sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey would be in line with US national security interests and also serve NATO's long-term unity".

The letter, obtained by Reuters and reported by Turkey's state-run Anadolu Agency (AA), comes after Turkey requested in October that Washington sell it 40 F-16s and 80 kits to modernize its existing fleet.

Naz Durakoğlu, the State Department's top official for legislative affairs, acknowledged, in a letter to Democrat congressperson Frank Pallone, "the ongoing tensions over additional arms sales to Turkey" but maintained that the sanctions and F-35 removal represent "a significant price paid" for Turkey's acquisition of S-400 air defense system from Russia.

The letter was in response to a letter led by Frank Pallone and more than 50 lawmakers from both parties, urging the Biden administration on February 4 to reject Ankara's purchase, citing what they say is Erdoğan's lack of commitment to NATO and his "vast human rights abuses."

"The Administration believes that there are nonetheless compelling long-term NATO alliance unity and capability interests, as well as U.S. national security, economic and commercial interests that are supported by appropriate U.S. defense trade ties with Turkey," Durakoğlu reportedly wrote to Pallone, who chairs the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

"The proposed sale will require a Congressional notification if the Department of State were to approve it. We affirm our commitment to established defense trade authorization procedures, including Congressional oversight," Durakoğlu added, according to a copy of the letter circulated on social media. Naz Durakoğlu further pointed to Turkey's "active contributions to NATO" as well as"its support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and cooperative defense relations" amid Russia-Ukraine war, calling them "an important deterrent to malign influence in the region."

The State Department did not confirm the letter's authenticity when asked by Anadolu Agency, but a senior State Department official said the US "strongly values its partnership with its NATO Ally Turkey."

"The US and Turkey have long standing and deep bilateral defense ties, and Turkey's continued NATO interoperability remains a priority," said the official, who addressed the matter on condition of anonymity.

US sales of arms to Turkey, other countries

Turkey's President and ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said in late March that negotiations with the US regarding the matter were "progressing positively".

The US under former President Donald Trump sanctioned Turkey in 2020 after Turkey purchased Russia's S-400 air defense system and removed Turkey the prior year from the F-35 joint strike fighter program.

The United States maintains that the S-400 could be used by Russia to covertly obtain data on the F-35 and is inoperable with NATO systems. Ankara has maintained, however, that the S-400 would not be integrated into NATO systems and said it poses no risks to the F-35.

On the other side, after the US Department of State officially approves arms sales to foreign countries, it answers any requests or questions from the Congress in a letter and expresses the administration's stance.

When the Department approves the sale, it is reported to the Congress in an official correspondence. The approval of the Department of State means that the US administration does not object to the related sale of arms. If the Congress does not raise an objection within 30 workdays, the administration begins negotiations with the country on the content of the sale.

Afterwards, the US proposes a letter of offer to the country in question and, if it is approved, the procurement of arms begins. (AEK/SD)